Two Experiments

If the Mutated Eyeball fell into the hands of Official Extraordinary, it might be used as an ingredient in certain poisons or simply destroyed.

Hobart had never been an Official Extraordinary, nor did he consider matters from an Official Extraordinary's perspective.

In his view, in this metropolis of five million people, one more Mutated Eyeball would not make it more evil, nor would one less Mutated Eyeball make it better.

Exchanging these things for cash would strengthen him and make him a little safer in this world. That was enough for him. With his current strength, there was no need to think too much.

Seeing that Hobart knew his stuff, Gael did not push the price down too hard. After friendly negotiations, they settled on 85 Pounds.

Hobart took out 5 Pounds and put it in his wallet as his commission for disposing of stolen goods. He wrapped the remaining 80 Pounds in paper, intending to split it with Xue after selling the Secret Supplicant's Extraordinary Characteristic.

Hobart had no intention of selling the Secret Supplicant's Extraordinary Characteristic to Gael. He planned to sell it at the gathering instead. First, the person in the Golden Mask would offer protection there; second, it could serve as his entry ticket into that gathering.

Most of the gathering's participants were Soldiers. They naturally had a basis for mutual trust, while people like Hobart, who had never served in the military, were rare. If he wanted to truly fit into their circle, he needed to make several transactions at the gathering and prove that he was reliable.

After completing the transaction with Gael, Hobart went to the Information Wall on the third floor and asked the Waiter to leave a message: He had a batch of jewelry and gold for sale, worth approximately 1,500 Pounds.

Hobart planned to sell those valuables before handing the cash over to Mr. Robin and his cousin. If they went out to sell them themselves, they would easily attract attention.

The Mercenary Club had such powerful backing that ordinary people would not dare violate transaction rules there.

After leaving the message, Hobart saw that it was still early, so he ordered a cup of tea in the lounge area and rested.

He had been running around almost constantly these past two days, and he was already beginning to miss his days at Backlund University. He had promised to treat two classmates to a meal back then, but had never fulfilled that promise.

Hobart remembered that one of those classmates came from a Judge's family, while the other came from a wealthy merchant's family. He would certainly be able to make use of their connections in the future, so he needed to find time to maintain those relationships.

He held a Newspaper in his hand, yet did not read a single letter, his mind occupied with all sorts of matters.

After a while, Hobart belatedly realized that he had grown accustomed to the way of life in this era. Whenever he had the chance, he would build connections of his own.

Life on Earth—no, life in the Common Era—was gradually becoming distant.

Just as he was feeling overwhelmed with emotion, he heard two Soldiers beside him discussing something. "The battle on the Southern Continent should have started by now, right?"

"How could it be that fast? They left on Sunday night, and it's only Wednesday afternoon now!"

"Heh, you didn't know? They took a Military Airship to the Southern Continent!"

"What? A Military Airship?"

"I think those Fosac bastards will be just as surprised as you when our people ambush them!"

"The military really is willing to spend money!"

"The military's determination is beyond doubt!"

"The rewards for this operation must be extremely generous..."

Hobart stared straight at the Newspaper, but he was thinking, So this is the follow-up to the retaliation against the Fosac. Although the military did not act directly, they gave the mercenaries plenty of conveniences.

At around five o'clock, Hobart finished the last sip of tea, visited the Washroom, then took a Rental Carriage home.

Dinner was as warm and harmonious as usual. After eating, the family drank tea and chatted for a while before returning to their respective rooms.

Hobart planned to conduct two experiments that night. He locked his door, set up a Wall of Spirituality, lit candles on the table according to the Binary Method, then drew a simple throne symbol on the table. On the throne was a circular symbol representing Distortion.

The simple design and symbol together formed the emblem of the Black Emperor. Hobart had noticed during the Tarot Club gathering that the back of the chair behind him bore this very emblem.

Because of Source Castle's special nature, theoretically, this emblem should represent him himself. That was why he had designed this experiment.

Finally, Hobart took out the Secret Supplicant's Extraordinary Characteristic and placed it in the center of the simple altar.

Once everything was ready, he recited in Hermes, "O Creator in the Shadow of Order;

"You are the origin and end of all Order;

"You are the Master of Laws who commands the Clock of Order.

"Your faithful servant beseeches Your gaze;

"He beseeches You to accept his offering;

"He beseeches You to open the gate to the kingdom."

Inside the Wall of Spirituality, an eerie whirlwind suddenly rose, and a darkness that seemed capable of devouring everything appeared on the ceiling.

Hobart did not expect such a huge commotion. He quickly entered the Country of Disorder through Reverse Walking.

Sitting upon the Iron Throne, Hobart saw two Bronze Gates appear in the air at the end of the pool before him. He faintly heard his own prayer.

First, this proved that his Three-Part Honorific Name could indeed point to himself on the Iron Throne. He had wanted to test this long ago, but had never found the time.

Then Hobart discovered an additional star emitting white light in the pool before the Iron Throne. His spirituality extended toward it, and as expected, he saw himself standing before the simple altar in his Bedroom.

Using the Country of Disorder's True Sight, Hobart carefully examined himself. Zachary, the target of yesterday's Spirit Communication, had already shown signs of Loss of Control and had clearly been contaminated.

The Country of Disorder helped filter Hobart's Astral Body and Spiritual Body, so he did not need to worry about being contaminated by Zachary. However, he feared the contamination might use spirituality as a springboard to infect his Mental Body and Aetheric Body. After all, Zachary had clearly been contaminated in those two layers.

Under True Sight, the various colors of his body were all normal. He merely Looked somewhat tired.

It seemed that he had used too much spirituality yesterday, resulting in physical fatigue.

Hobart, seated on the Iron Throne, withdrew his spirituality. The first experiment had succeeded; the Honorific Name he had designed was effective. He then began the second experiment.

His spirituality extended toward the Bronze Gates. The two gates opened a tiny crack, through which he could vaguely make out the situation on the altar.

With a reach of his hand, the Secret Supplicant's Extraordinary Characteristic on the simple altar entered the Country of Disorder and fell before the Iron Throne.

It worked! He rubbed his forehead. It was just that the spiritual expenditure had been a little high.

If he obtained any Extraordinary Materials or Extraordinary Characteristics in the future, he could store them in the Country of Disorder without fearing that others would discover or seize them.

The success of the experiment put Hobart in an excellent mood. He returned to his Bedroom, intending to rest and recover his spirituality before carrying out the next Bestowal Ritual and taking out the Secret Supplicant's Extraordinary Characteristic.

The moment he returned to his body, Hobart heard a knock at the door, followed by Christine's question. "Hobart, are you all right? I sensed an abnormal power in your room!"